Sister Knows Best

Big C's fish died last night. It wasn't a surprise. He'd been lingering near the top for a couple of days. We'd all had a chance to say farewell so the grieving is progressing as expected: some tears, some trouble sleeping, and a renewed respect for all life...even the box elder bugs that are currently trying to turn my house into hibernaculum. The cygnets have been picking them up in the house and carrying them outside. Of course, for every one they displace, three more fly in and two ride in on the kids' backs.

It is clearly a battle we are losing.

But there is another one we are winning. It is called "Raising Our Children To Be Friends Not Rivals." For proof I submit Exhibit A:

Miss M finds out about Horace, the the fish, and immediately goes to find her beloved brother. This is what she says into the top of his head as he cries and they embrace:

"I sure wish I knew what a big sister was supposed to say in times like these to ease her younger brother's suffering. (Pause. Sniffle. Sob.) I'm so sorry about Horace. He was a good fish and he never did anyone any harm. We'll all miss him."